Warwick Rowers reveal what it’s like stripping down for their naked calendar
The Warwick Rowers revealed what it’s like stripping off for their annual naked calendar.
Speaking to PinkNews at the 2018 calendar’s launch event last week, the boys said that while it’s nerve-wracking posing for millions of people, the message behind the calendar is most important.
“I think it’s something really different, getting naked and getting naked for a reason,” said team member Jorge Tallo Soria.
Jorge added that he knew he will have to bare all when joining the club but that after a few weeks he realised that the Warwick Rowers project was “something bigger” than he thought.
“It’s something I hadn’t done before, I had got naked at the beach or whatever but never for the camera.
We are embracing other people’s sexuality and in this case the sexuality of LGBT+ people. Once you know the reason, it makes sense getting naked.”
Jorge’s also said the team does not limit themselves to sport and fitness.
“We want to send a message, that we love sport and we want to make it available to everyone, regardless of nationality, sexuality and background,” he said.
The boys raise thousands of pounds every year for charity with their calendar, in a project which started as a means to fund new equipment for their ailing club in 2009.
The rowers say there needs to be a lot more open talk about homosexuality in sport, especially in school and that “small remarks” and “locker room banter” can sometimes cause offence to people who have not come out.
“If you’re a gay person who hasn’t come out, people using the word gay in a negative way can have a negative impact on you,” said team member Jacob Howard-Park.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2RTJ6Es81c]
Proceeds from the calendar benefit the team’s outreach programme, Sport Allies, which is working to eliminate homophobia in sports.
The Warwick Rowers is one of the world’s most eye-catching straight ally projects with a global influence and audience.
You can find out more about the Warwick Rowers calendar here.
